Hertfordshire pupils get a taste for London 2012 at Lee Valley White Water Centre

PUBLISHED: 13:32 04 July 2011 | UPDATED: 19:38 20 February 2013

Hertfordshire pupils get a taste for London 2012 at Lee Valley White Water Centre

Over 300 young people from across Hertfordshire will enjoy an early taste of London 2012, rafting the rapids at Lee Valley White Water Centre – the only brand new London 2012 venue people can use and enjoy before the Games

Over 300 young people from across Hertfordshire will enjoy an early taste of London 2012, rafting the rapids at Lee Valley White Water Centre the only brand new London 2012 venue people can use and enjoy before the Games.

The group will visit on Tuesday 5 July to take part in the six day Lee Valley White Water Centre Schools Festival, rafting the very same rapids which the worlds best athletes will tackle next year.

Derrick Ashley, Chairman of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, which runs the Centre said: 'We are delighted to host the Schools Festival as the first part of our promise to deliver a tangible benefit from the Games. More than 2000 children from across London, Essex and Hertfordshire will raft the rapids for FREE - an early opening legacy ahead of the Games.

'Lee Valley White Water Centre is already proving to be hugely popular and the Schools Festival is a clear sign of how we are developing an exciting and effective legacy for the Centre, showing young people the thrilling possibilities of paddle sport.'

The Centre - near Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire opened to acclaim in April. Public information is at www.gowhitewater.co.uk

The Schools Festival, which runs 27-29 June and 4-6 July 2011, will be attended by pupils from every district of Hertfordshire and Essex each having been offered 360 places per county council. The Festival will also welcome children from every London Borough who have been offered 36 places. The Festival is being funded by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority.

Lee Valley White Water Centres School Festivalis one of the outstanding projects granted the London 2012 Inspire mark, the badge of the London 2012 Inspire programme which recognises exceptional and innovative projects inspired by the 2012 Games.

Participants will raft the Olympic Standard Competition Course, take part in flat water canoeing and kayaking, climbing and GPS orienteering with Lee Valley Parks Youth and Schools Service. The Service has recently launched a new range of environmental education programmes at Lee Valley White Water Centre, adding to the established diverse range of environmental, heritage and sport education opportunities which make the Park a wonderful outdoor classroom.

Seb Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG), said: 'Lee Valley White Water Centre Schools Festival is a fantastic opportunity for young people to get close to the London 2012 Games before they begin next summer. For pupils to enjoy the course before the Olympians arrive is really something to be proud of.

'The event will also allow pupils from across Hertfordshire the chance to try their hand at a new sport and see the benefits this world class venue brings.'

Lee Valley White Water Centre will host five days of intense canoe slalom competition during the Games next year in front of 60,000 spectators.

The Centre is one of four London 2012 venues Lee Valley Regional Park Authority will run after the Games, including the Lee Valley VeloPark and Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centres. The Lee Valley White Water Centre will join the other regional sports venues the Authority owns to create a chain of sporting excellence along the 26 mile long, 10,000 acre Lee Valley Regional Park.